By: IOL Motoring Staff
Geneva Motor Show - If there is one car at the 86th Salon International de l'Auto that's worth going back to after the frenzy of the two media days is over, for a more detailed 'up close and personal' look , it is this one.
And it is neither a concept nor a one-off show car. The Lamborghini Centenario - created to celebrate the centenary of founder Ferrucio Lamborghini's birth - is a production car, albeit limited to just 20 examples each in coupé and roadster formats.
The car’s dramatic profile - only 1143mm tall at its highest point - follows the sweeping curve that has defined every Lamborghini since Marcello Gandini of Bertone penned that single, achingly beautiful line for the original Countach of 1971 - but what's under it is as forward-looking as the Countach was then.
It starts with Lamborghini's iconic 6.5-litre, naturally aspirated Aventador V12, its rev limit raised from 8350 to 8600 revs, and its power output from 510 to 556kW, making it the company's most powerful engine yet. Drive is taken to all four wheels via a seven-speed independent shifting-rod transmission with a claimed shift time of just 50 milliseconds, and this is the first car from Sant'Agata with rear-wheel steering.
The rear wheels turn in the same direction as the front wheels at low speeds, appreciably reducing the car's turning circle, and in the opposite direction at high speeds for lightning-fast changes of direction without loss of stability.
The Centenario's monocoque bodyshell and outer panels are made entirely of carbon fibre, reducing kerb weight to only 1520kg and giving it a power-to-weight ratio of 366kW per ton. Acceleration from 0-100km/h is quoted at 2.8 seconds, and from 0-300 at 23.5s, with a top speed of more than 350km/h.
Air taken in through the large front scoops creates front downforce while ducting in the headlight surrounds, side skirts and wheel-arches channels cooling air to the rear radiators. The rear wing is integrated into the engine cover while the car is standing still but extends rearwards up to 150mm and rotates 15 degrees as the speed rises.
TAILORED TRIM
The interior of each Centenario will be finished to the customer's specification, including carbon-fibre sports seats and contrast stitching on the dashboard, steering wheel, sun visors, rocker covers and inner door panels.
A 10.1 inch touchscreen connects you to both the car and the outside world via satellite navigation, Apple CarPlay and a sophisticated telemetry function that records speeds, times, lateral and G forces and can even compare performances between different laps and/or different drivers, while two optional built-in cameras record the drivers' experiences.
SORRY FOR YOU
All 40 Centenarios are already sold, at a base price of €1.76 million (R29.8 million) each. Sorry.
While the Geneva show car is finished with clear lacquer over the carbon-fibre panels, the 40 lucky (and very wealthy!) owners will be able to specify their cars in any combination of finishes from Lamborghini's Ad Personam personalisation programme.